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To determine the relative age of different rocks, geologists start with the assumption that unless something has happened, in a sequence of sedimentary rock layers, the newer rock layers will be on top of older ones. This rule is common sense, but it serves as a powerful reference point.Geologists draw on it and other basic principles ( to determine the relative ages of rocks or features such as faults.I also like this simple exercise, a spin-off from an activity described on the USGS site above.Take students on a neighborhood walk and see what you can observe about age dates around you.This activity was selected for the On the Cutting Edge Exemplary Teaching Collection Resources in this top level collection a) must have scored Exemplary or Very Good in all five review categories, and must also rate as “Exemplary” in at least three of the five categories.The science of geology is founded on basic principles that are useful for making observations about the world around us.That’s because zircon is super tough – it resists weathering. Each radioactive isotope works best for particular applications.

You might have noticed that many of the oldest age dates come from a mineral called zircon.Unlike people, you can’t really guess the age of a rock from looking at it.Yet, you’ve heard the news: Earth is 4.6 billion years old. That corn cob found in an ancient Native American fire pit is 1,000 years old. Geologic age dating—assigning an age to materials—is an entire discipline of its own.It’s based either on fossils which are recognized to represent a particular interval of time, or on radioactive decay of specific isotopes. Based on the Rule of Superposition, certain organisms clearly lived before others, during certain geologic times.After all, a dinosaur wouldn’t be caught dead next to a trilobite.Look for “absolute” ages such as cornerstones, dates carved into fresh concrete, or dates stamped on manhole covers.